'We got a lot of interesting stuff:' Friends of the Bay County Libraries kick off Used Book Sale

BAY CITY, MI — Bay City resident Connie Homestead says she didn't tell her family she was coming to the 40th annual Friends of the Bay County Libraries' Used Book Sale this year.

Taking a breather from wheeling five boxes of books through the Bay County Civic Arena on Thursday morning, she said the dolly-load constituted only a portion of her purchases.

"I've come for years, and I'm sure they feel I don't need any more books," she said, adding she already has a big collection at home. This year, she picked up some children's and spiritual books, as well as a set of encyclopedias — one source of information that still works when the lights are out, she said.

Despite two cartloads, Homestead said she still hadn't purchased as much as last year.

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WHAT: The Friends of the Bay County Libraries' 40th annual Used Book Sale

The 40th annual Used Book Sale began on Thursday, July 31, opening its doors to those eager to scoop up a few discounted books. The sale continues Thursday until 8 p.m., from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at the civic arena, 4231 Shrestha Drive in Bangor Township.

The sale serves as a fundraiser to provide amenities and programming at the Bay County Library System's branches. It features all kinds of books, as well as DVDs and even a few VHS tapes.

"You never know what you might find," said Pinconning resident Richard Castanier, recalling years when he's found large-scale atlases for $2, which he's used in his mineral and gold research hobby.

Prices on Thursday started at $2 for hardcover books, $1 for paperbacks and 50 cents for kids' books.

On Friday, prices drop to $1 for hardcover books and 50 cents for paperbacks. On Saturday, shoppers can buy a box of books for $3. Some collectible or unusually valuable items may sell for more.

John VanLooy is president of the Friends group and one of the chief organizers of the event, which he said features nearly 50,000 items. Today, he was busy at the front register, helping customers check out.

"The line was out the door when we opened the sale," he said. Though this year's event doesn't feature as many items as last year, he said he hopes that the crowd will help maximize sales.

Jennifer Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Shields Elementary in Saginaw County, said she was there to pick out some picture books for her classroom, as well as some chapter books for the school's library. She usually comes to the book sale with some of her colleagues she said, but this year was with only her husband Jeremy and her daughters — Elliana, age 8, and Lilyana, age 6.

"Elliana is reading chapter books and Lilyana is starting kindergarten," she said.

Frank "Mac" Quinn, a trustee on the Bay County Library Board, was at the event as well, with an anthology of English poetry tucked under his arm. He said one of the biggest benefits of the annual book sale is that it could get people thinking positively about the library in advance of the Library Board's current attempt to renew a millage. This year, the organization has a six-year, 1-mill renewal proposal on the November ballot.

For Michele Kelly, a book dealer who made a two-and-a-half hour trek from Hamburg, it's a chance to stock up on products. She said she picked up a number of children's books and also purchased what she called some of the sale's more odd selections. An old paperback copy of "Why Women Sin," is one of this year's more bizarre finds, she noted.

"We got a lot of interesting stuff," Kelly said.

— Sam Easter is a general assignment reporter for The Bay City Times. He can be reached at seaster@mlive.com.